Dole pushes back at Ike Memorial critic

Justin Shubow of the National Civic Art Society wrote a Roll Call commentary this month attacking not just the Eisenhower Memorial’s “atrocious” design but the outsize influence of Kansans on the project, mentioning the advocacy of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. (who chairs the memorial commission), former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole and Wichita native Matt Schlapp, president of the American Conservative Union. That drew a sharp response from Dole headlined “What’s the Matter With Kansas? ‘Not a Damn Thing.’” Advising Shubow and his “tiny clan” to “stand aside,” Dole wrote: “Kansans appreciate the meaning of the 15 years of hard work that have gone into creating a memorial to a great American, who happens to be Kansas’ favorite son. Over those 15 years, Ike’s memorial has successfully gone through the two rigorous federal review processes that have resulted in the design receiving final approval. That’s well over a decade of nose-to-the-grindstone work by 12 commissioners, eight of whom were members of Congress and four of whom were presidential appointees, including one who was an Eisenhower family member.” – Rhonda Holman